Improved endotracheal cuff



May 21, 1957 J. A. KARDOS 2,792,837

IMPROVED ENDOTRACHEAL cum" Filed Sept. '6, 1955 Fig./

Fig. 3

IN V EN TOR.

BY dfi'my Em Jaseph Anthony Kardbs United States Patent 1 2,792,837IMPROVED ENDOTRACHEAL CUFF Joseph Anthony Kardos, Stamford, Conn.Application September 6, 1955, Serial No. 532,596 6 Claims. (Cl.128-351) This invention relates to an appliance for use in administering anesthesia, and more particularly to an improvedendotracheal cufl.

In the field of anesthesia, endotracheal cults have been in use for manyyears. Use of the endotracheal cuflfs has made it possible to provide analmost air-tight system for a closed system for general anesthesia asused in thoracic surgery. Further, in the past, such endotracheal endsas have been devised which are satisfactory are rather expensive inconstruction considering the length of use thereof, and suchendotracheal cults which are cheaper to produce are generally defectivein construction so that air escapes readily when inflated.

The primary object of this invention resides in the provision of anendotracheal cufi? which is extremely simple in construction andinexpensive to produce, thereby permitting wide use and distributionwhile providing a highly efficient and effective closure in use.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of theinvention which will become apparent as the following descriptionproceeds, are obtained by this improved endotracheal cuff, a preferredembodiment of which has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings,by way of example only, wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of the endotracheal cuff comprising thepresent invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the endotracheal cult; and

Figure 3 is a horizontal, sectional view as taken along the plane ofline 3--3 in Figure 1.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein likereference numerals designate similar parts throughout the variols views,reference numeral generally designates an endotracheal tube with whichthe endotracheal cuff, designated generally by reference numeral 12 isadapted to be utilized in combination to form the present invention. Theendotracheal tube 10 is of conventional construction and theendotracheal cufi 12 is mainly formed of a piece of thin rubber tubingas is commonly used for surgical drainage. This tubing is so arranged asto form an inner wall 14 with which an outer wall 16 is integrallyformed and attached at the end 18 thereof. The outer wall 16 has an end20 extending between a flap 22 integrally formed with the inner wall 14and folded so as to overlie a portion of the outer wall 16. The cuff 12is cemented or otherwise afilxed to the tube 10 by means of rubbercement, as at 24. Other suitable mastics may, of course, be utilized.

Extending through an aperture 26 in the flap 22 and through an aperture28 in the end portion 20 of the outer wall 16 is an inflating tube 30.The apertures 26 and 28 are normally about one-half the diameter of thetube 30 so as to enable this tube 30 to be received in substantiallyair-tight relation therein. When, of course, gas is applied underpressure through the tube 30, such as compressed air or the like, afurther seal will be eflected. In order to assure against leakage ofair, a suitable seal, as at 32 and 34, is provided between the flap 22and the end 20 of the outer wall 16 and the inner wall 14 and the end20, completely sealing the tube in position and obviating thepossibility of escape of air through the sealed end of the cuff. Hence,upon application of air or other gas under pressure into the tube 30,the outer wall 16 will be inflated, as is shown in dotted lines inFigure 2, to provide a seal against the passage of gas or air into thecavities of the patient. Further, the inflation of the outer wall 16will cause the inner wall 14 to lie flush with the endotracheal tube 10.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An endotracheal cufr for use in combination with 1 an endotrachealtube comprising an inner tubular wall adapted to lie against anendotracheal tube and having a return peripheral flap, an outer tubularwall having one end integral with said inner wall and a free endreceived between said flap and said inner wall, and means forintroducing gas under pressure between said inner wall and said outerwall.

2. An endotracheal cuff for use in combination with an endotracheal tubecomprising an inner tubular wall adapted to lie against a endotrachealtube and having a return peripheral flap, an outer tubular wall havingone end integral with said inner wall and a free end received betweensaid flap and said inner wall, and an inflating tube extending throughsaid flap and said outer wall for introducing gas under pressure betweensaid inner wall and said outer wall.

3. An endotracheal cuff for use in combination with an endotracheal tubecomprising an inner tubular wall adapted to lie against an endotrachealtube and having a return peripheral flap, an outer tubular wall havingone end integral with said inner wall and a free end received betweensaid flap and said inner wall, and means for introducing gas underpressure between said inner wall and said outer wall, and a seal ofcement between said flap and said free end of said outer wall andbetween said free end of said outer wall and said inner wall.

4. An endotracheal cuff for use in combination with an endotracheal tubecomprising an inner tubular wall adapted to lie against an endotrachealtube and having a return peripheral flap, an outer tubular wall havingone end integral with said inner wall and a free end received betweensaid flap and said inner wall, and an inflating tube extending throughsaid flap and said outer wall for introducing gas under pressure betweensaid inner wall and said outer wall, and a seal of cement between saidflap and said free end of said outer wall and between said free end ofsaid outer wall and said inner wall.

5. An endotracheal cuff for use in combination with an endotracheal tubecomprising an inner tubular wall adap ted to lie against an endotrachealtube and having a return peripheral flap, an outer tubular wall havingone end integral with said inner wall and a free end received betweensaid flap and said inner wall, and means for introducing gas underpressure between said inner wall and said outer wall, said cuir' beingbonded to said endotracheal tube.

6. An endotracheal cuff for use in combination with an endotracheal tubecomprising an inner tubular wall adapted to lie against an endotrachealtube and having a return peripheral flap, an outer tubular wall havingone end integral with said inner wall and a free end received betweensaid flap and said inner wall, and an inflating tube extending throughsaid flap and said outer wall for introducing gas under pressure betweensaid inner wall and said outer wall, and a seal of cement between saidflap and said free end of said outer wall and between said free end ofsaid outer wall and said inner wall, said cuff being bonded to saidendotracheal tube.

Australia June 4, 1953 H RI WIQ' J II l)

